Tips & Tricks to Help you Harness the Power of SailAngle.com 1

Transcription

1 Tips & Tricks to Help you Harness the Power of SailAngle.com 1

2 What is SailAngle.com Why Should I Care? How to Activate Your Account Your Groups Accessing Your Groups What s in Your Group? Tools for Your Squadron Messaging Types of Group Messages Who Can Send? Sending Group Messages Other messaging examples The Group Moderator Event Calendar Entering a Standard Events Entering RSVP Events Benefit of calendar events Benefit of an RSVP events Group Photo Gallery File Cabinet Forums Advertise Your Squadron for FREE Advertising Benefit Notifications Typical Issues Useful Tips Additional Help 2

3 SailAngle.com is a FREE website built for boaters by boaters A central location for boating-related information Content is created by the entire boating community Unmatched features Private Groups for USPS Social interaction with people who share your passion 3

4 SailAngle.com is not meant to replace your existing website. Every USPS Squadron and District receives a free fullyfunctioning Private website with powerful tools With SailAngle.com the USPS is united on a common communication and messaging platform Unmatched SailAngle.com features for your members Destinations local knowledge anywhere in the world Gourmet Galley recipes that work on a boat Ask-a-Pro puts you in touch with professional captains Education basic and advanced courses on-line 4

5 1. Visit and logon to 2. Click on the Access your SailAngle.com Account. 3. Go through the signup process to activate your account. Upload a photo so your friends and other Group members can identify you, add your boat s information and photo, talk a little about yourself. 5

6 After activating your SailAngle.com account you will be automatically placed into the following Groups: 1. Your Squadron 2. Your correct District 3. Your current Departments and Committees (if any) 4. Mailing lists must be joined USPS National Group (Includes all USPS Members) USPS Department Groups USPS District Groups Mailing Lists (By Subscription) USPS Committee Groups USPS Squadron Groups 6

7 1 2 There are multiple ways to access your groups: 1. From your My Homepage click on My Groups from the left navigation. 2. From any page on SailAngle.com, you can use the global navigation bar by hovering over Groups and then clicking My Groups. 3. When you are inside the Groups section, you will see a list of My Groups on the right side of the page where you have easy access to all your groups. 3 7

8 Event Calendar post group events Messages send three different kinds of messages Forum open discussion forum for group topics Photos upload photos of group functions File Cabinet store group documents Members profiles of the individual members 8

9 See the latest members to join your group and add them as a friend. The latest Group Forum posts appear in the middle of the front page. Click the orange boxes on the calendar to see upcoming events. Click to add events to your USPS Group calendar. List of your Group s Events. Click them for more details. 9

10 Takes you back to the this Group homepage Send messages to the entire Group and read archived Group messages Keep conversations and discussions going with your entire Squadron. View a list of members of your group View their profile, send a private message, or view their location. If you are a Group Moderator this is where you will approve requests to join the Group. 10

11 Messaging Use Group messaging to communicate with individual members or the entire squadron. Forum Create and participate in Group discussions. You can subscribe to discussions and be notified when a response to a post is received. Photo Gallery Easily upload an entire folder of photos to the Group s Photo Gallery. All members can view and share photos from meetings, events, rendezvous, etc. all in one place. Members See a list of all members of your group and view their profiles, send a private message, view their location, or browse through their photo galleries. Calendar/RSVP View and add events for your squadron. Clicking RSVP, allows group members to notify the event organizer that they Will Attend or Cannot Attend and tabulates the results for the organizer. An event reminder can be set to go out to those who have RSVP d. File Cabinet You can upload and share files with your Group, including articles, newsletters, meeting minutes, notices, tide tables, etc. 11

12 SailAngle.com provides three powerful messaging options all with a single mouse click Private Message 1 person to 1 person Replies go to the original sender Group Message 1 person to the entire group Replies from all group members go to the original sender Group Forum Message 1 person to the entire group + the message posts to the group forum Replies from all group members post in the group forum for all members to see

13 You have three options for sending messages depending on the type of response you are looking for. 1. Private Message Use Private Messaging for one to one communication with other members One to One 2. Group Message For communication a message/notification to the entire group when you don t need a response or only need individual responses. Original: One to Many Reply: One to One 3. Group Forum Message The most powerful tool for collaboration with all members. Your original messages is sent out to all members and all replies are kept in the Forum and seen by all members. Original: One to Many Reply: Many to Many 13

14 Powerful single-click messaging options Private Message 1 person to 1 person Any USPS member can send. Group Message 1 person to many National can send to all members of the USPS District can send to all members of the District Squadron can send to all members of the Squadron Group Forum Message 1 person to many National can send to all members of the USPS District can send to all members of the District Squadron can send to all members of the Squadron 14

15 Sending Private Messages Click on Members inside the Group; then Send Private Message To add more recipients, begin typing their name in the To field and auto-complete will fill in the names. Sending Group Messages Click on Messages inside the Group, then Compose Group Message. No need to select recipients as this message will be sent to all Group members including the sender. Sending Group Forum Messages Click on Messages inside the Group, then Compose Group Forum Message. This will create a new Forum Topic and send the message to all Group members. 15

16 OK, I understand messaging, now how do I use it? Plan a squadron rendezvous and get member input. Send out a Group Forum Message asking for member input on the best date and destination The message goes out to all members of the squadron. The message posts in the Group Forum for all to see As members respond, their answers post in the Group Forum This is the best way to ensure that the event will be well attended Need to fill a roster to work at a boat show, vessel safety check, etc. Send out a Group Forum Message asking for volunteers The schedule goes out to all members of the squadron. The schedule posts in the Group Forum for all to see. As members respond with their availability, their answers post in the Group Forum. This will ensure that the event will be properly manned

17 Seek member input for seminar content Seek member input for course schedules Notify squadron members of changes in dates/location for meetings, picnics, rendezvous, raft-up s, etc. Send private messages to your friends Send out U.S. Coast Guard notifications The result: Simple one-click messaging makes it easy to keep the squadron informed and get member input Squadron members are well informed and attendance at functions is increased.

18 Group Moderator The default Group Moderator is the squadron commander. The Group Moderator can approve join requests and send join invitations, edit / delete group content including calendar events, and manage the file cabinet (create new master files). All requests to join the Group are referred to the Group Moderator for approval. Assigning a new Group Moderator The default Group Moderator can assign another group member to be a moderator. Click on Members, then Assign as Moderator. All Group Moderators have the same powers to manage the Group content 18

19 One of the most useful features in Groups Two types of Calendar Events Standard Lists the event, up to 2,000 word description, the start time, finish time, telephone number, and more The event is placed on the calendar and the start date is highlighted and is a clickable link to the event RSVP Same as standard, but clicking on RSVP allows all group members to reply that they Will Attend or Cannot Attend RSVP responses are automatically tabulated for the sender Automatic reminder notice sent 2-days before the event 19

20 On the Group page click + Add an event Fill in the event form with the pertinent information Click Submit - - that s it your event will show in the Group calendar

21 On the Group page click + Add an event Fill in the form and check the box labeled RSVP Fill out the RSVP form shown on the right Invite the entire group to this event? Remind guests who confirm? Yes No Send reminder before event? Yes No Notify attendees days before the event. Submit Click Submit - - that s it The creator of the RSVP event will be notified when guests confirm

22 All Group members can view upcoming events. Post class schedules, meetings, rendezvous, raft-up s, seminars, vessel safety checks, picnics and special events and add the District meetings as well Using the event calendar allows your members to plan ahead and increases turnout at USPS functions.

23 For your next monthly meeting create an RSVP event It will post on the calendar and send a message to all group members asking for an RSVP. The website will tabulate the members who confirmed their attendance giving you an accurate headcount. The website will send a reminder notice automatically up to 5 days in advance of the meeting

24 How it works: Easily and quickly upload an entire folder of high resolution photographs to your Group s photo gallery to share with everyone. Click on Photos on your Group menu and then create a new album or choose an existing album to upload your photos to. Example: Ever go out on a rendezvous with your Squadron where everyone takes photos and promises to send them to you after they are back home? Now you have one place where everyone can upload and share their photos. Create a gallery for the rendezvous The benefits of using: One place where everyone can upload, store, and share photos. 24

25 How it works: Click on File Cabinet in your Group menu and inside the Upload a file here box, click Choose File, add a title, then click upload. Example: Upload Meeting Minutes, Tide Tables, Light Lists, Coast Guard Advisories, etc to share with your entire group. The benefits of using Cut down on printing Host files and send a direct link to download them. Maintain master copies of course presentations 25

26 How it works: To create a new discussion topic inside the Group Forum; click on the Forum inside your Group; then click the blue Create New Topic button on the right side of the page. Add a subject and your message and if you want to be notified when someone replies, check the Notify me box. Example: You have a project that you are working on for your boat and want input and want to share what you are doing. Create a new discussion topic to post the steps you have taken, post photos, and other Group members will be able to reply and collaborate in the discussion. The benefits of using: Discuss anything with your entire group in one organized location. Get answers to questions Share your knowledge 26

27 Submit a banner ad for your Squadron s Vessel Safety Inspections, Educational Courses, Local Seminars, etc. These ads will be seen by visitors to SailAngle.com who are located in the same region your Squadron serves. For information on placing your ad contact: info@sailangle.com Your Squadron Advertisement Here 27

28 Greater exposure of your Squadron in the local community Promote Safe Boating Help increase membership = increased revenue Help increase class size = increased revenue Greater attendance at functions All at no cost to the Squadron 28

29 Notifications are sent to your account when new Private Messages, Group Messages, Group Forum Messages, and Friend Requests are received. You have complete control over the notifications you receive. Inside your SailAngle inbox click Notification Preferences and turn notifications on or off as you wish. 29

30 Issue: Someone signs up for SailAngle.com but is not placed in their proper USPS Group Solution: Most often the member signed up directly on SailAngle.com without first going to USPS.org and clicking on the blue Access SailAngle.com button. New members must go through the USPS website the first time they log onto SailAngle.com - - this synchronizes their information and allows them to be automatically placed in the proper squadron and district. 30

31 Issue: A member forgets their username or password Solution: By default, the username is the USPS Certificate number and the password is either the member s zip code or pin number. If a member experiences trouble logging in to SailAngle.com, ask them to try accessing the site through the button on USPS.org. This will re-sync their information 31

32 Issue: You want to change your password Solution: In order to maintain synchronization with the USPS database, ALL password changes for USPS members must be done on the USPS website. Important after changing your password on the USPS website, click the Access SailAngle.com button to authenticate your new password on SailAngle.com. 32

33 Issue: You want to login directly to SailAngle.com Solution: After clicking Access SailAngle.com on the USPS website you can login directly to SailAngle.com if you wish. Go to hover over one of the four buttons and click on Member Login Enter you Certificate number as the Username and your zip code or PIN number from the USPS site, THEN check the Remember Me box. That will set SailAngle.com to remember you each time your return. When you receive a notification, you should be able to click on the link and come right back in without logging in again. If you continue to experience trouble logging directly into SailAngle.com, us for help at info@sailangle.com. 33

34 Stay logged in Check Remember me when you login directly to SailAngle.com. This will prevent you from having to login when you visit. Next time you will be brought directly to your homepage. Bookmark SailAngle.com The easiest way to get back into your SailAngle.com account is to add to your favorites box. If you have checked remember me, you will then be brought directly to your homepage when you click on the favorite. Stay on-guard in Chat Right click on Chat inside the Community on the main navigation bar and then select Open in new window. This will leave Chat open and leave your other window free to browse the rest of the website while keeping a Chat dialog open. 34

35 1. us your questions or feedback anytime to where we will respond within 24 hours. 2. Submit your question or comment on the contact us page For immediate technical assistance, please call Justin at (858) More questions can be answered in the Frequently Asked Questions section by visiting: 35